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Hindu Culture

According to Merriam Webster website, culture is define as the integrated pattern of human knowledge, belief, and behavior that depends upon the capacity for learning and transmitting knowledge to succeeding generations, the customary beliefs, social forms, and material traits of a racial, religious, or social group. It includes thoughts, styles of communicating, ways of interacting, views on roles and relationships, values, practices, and customs. Culture is shaped by multiple influences, including race, ethnicity, nationality, language, and gender, but it also extends to socioeconomic status, physical and mental ability, sexual orientating, and occupation, among other factors. The purpose of this paper is to gain knowledge about a different culture other than my own. I choose the Asian Indian Culture. Communication

East Indians from various regions are primarily differentiated by language. The Indian government recognizes 15 national languages. The main languages are Hindi, Bengali, Punjabi, Urdu, and Guajarati. English, also an official language in India, is often the common medium of communication. Each of the languages has its own body of literature, and some are written in more than one script. Women do not look into the eyes of men, which would imply romantic interest, and this is considered forbidden. This is supported by Purnell and Paulanka (2003), and they add that “direct eye contact with elders and authority figures may be considered a sign of disrespect” (p. 86). Physical touch and contact are also unacceptable behaviors for showing affection (Purnell & Paulanka, 2003). Family Roles and Organization

Hindu families are well thought-out to be a close united family unit. Respect for elders is highly valued. Gender roles are very distinct. The man (the father and/or husband) is always considered the leader of household. The men provide hard, manual labor (working, yard work, etc) and give financially and the women supply household care. Hindu women lean to be more passive than American women and the men are more authoritative in nature (Bhungalia & Kemp, 2002). Hindus still perform arranged marriages, although that trend is slightly altering as Asian Indians become more urbanized and educated in the U.S. After marriage, the daughter typically moves in with her husband's family. Children are often reared by their grandparents. In keeping with modem times and financial necessity, both men and women have started putting their labor and talent to work to contribute to the family. This is generally useful and incorporated into the lifestyle of the Indian society. There is also a significant value placed on higher education and success for their children. Nutrition

Family gatherings, celebrations, and special occasions are always centered around food. Food tends to be prepared spicy, and they are known for various curry dishes. Asian Indians do not eat beef at all, and during prayer services only a vegetarian diet is permitted. “Prasad” is a popular dish prepared with sweet vegetables and is eaten during prayer. Many spices are used for home remedies, such as mixing tumric in bathwater to alleviate itching symptoms of chicken pox. Meals are usually consumed three times a day, and food preparation has strict rules, women cannot prepare food during their menses. Unleavened wheat bread, vegetables, fruit, yogurt-based food, and curries continue to be important in the diets of most Asian Indians. Rice is typical for every meal. Traditionally, Hindus eat with the fingers of their right hand. Therefore, hand washing is extremely important (Bhungalia & Kemp, 2002). Because many Hindus are primarily vegetarian, iron supplementation may be needed (Purnell & Paulanka, 2003). Indians also believe in “hot” foods and “cold” foods, and that each should only be eaten during specific times of the year and never together. Failing to adhere to the hot/cold foods theory may result in illness (Purnell & Paulanka, 2003)....

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Professor Eric Cole
Religion and Philosophy- HUM400
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...life. Marriage in the Buddhist culture is very liberal, and regarded as a personal and individual concern, not a religious duty. Therefore, I believe that if one is entirely unhappy with his/her spouse, then that person would be free to do as they please, whether it is to get a divorce or not. Though this action might carry over to the next life, a person chooses his Karma; they know that there might be consequences to suffer one day. Buddha gave us teachings about what a man and wife can expect from a marriage.
The husband can expect the following qualities from his wife:
• Love
• Attentiveness
• Family obligations
• Faithfulness
• Child-care
• Thrift
• Provision of meals
• To calm him down when he is upset
• Sweetness in everything
In return, the wife’s expectation from the husband:
• Tenderness
• Courtesy
• Sociability
• Security
• Fairness
• Loyalty
• Honesty
• Good companionship
• Moral support
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...1
Hinduism
Emily Brandon
Axia College
Considering that Hinduism lacks a uniting belief system, what makes up the Hindu religion?
“One big societal element is that India is one of the last bastions of the ancient world’s culture. Its population practices scores of diverse religious tradition. “Hinduism” is actually an umbrella term referring to the people living “on the other side of the Sindhu River.” The actual name is the “Santayana Dharma” or Universal Truth or Way. One of “Hinduism’s” greatest strengths is its ability to unite the diverse beliefs and practices of its people in ways that are absolutely necessary for India to continue as it historically has. This is one reason why the government of India is so aggressive in its opposition to Christian and Muslim missionaries. Religious like Christianity or Islam demand a degree of doctrinal uniformity that would not work well for the Indians because
Hinduism 2
they destroy the historic traditions and beliefs of those who come under their dogmas. India’s incredibly rich traditions are their nation’s greatest riches. As evidence, consider the differences between modern India and Pakistan (formerly part of India, separated by Islam). India allows Muslims to live in peace, for the most part, while Pakistan makes it all but impossible for Hindus to live there.
Hinduism’s demand of vegetarianism reflects...